Chair assembly with a tilt-adjustable canopy

ABSTRACT

A chair assembly includes a pair of upright side frames, a seat member disposed between the side frames, a canopy frame with an intermediate portion mounted pivotally on the side frames, and a telescopic linking rod with an upper end pivoted to a rear end portion of the canopy frame, and a lower end pivoted to one of the side frames. The linking rod is operable for adjusting its length, and is operable for retention at an adjusted length so as to permit tilt-adjustment of the canopy frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a chair assembly, more particularly to a chair assembly with a tilt-adjustable canopy which is convenient to adjust.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004]FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional chair assembly 1 with a canopy frame 3 which is mounted adjustably on a pair of side frames 11 of the chair assembly 1 by means of a pair of adjustable canopy mounting units 13. Referring to FIG. 2, each of the canopy mounting units 13 includes a rotary seat 16 secured to the canopy frame 3, a stationary seat 15 secured to an upper end of a respective one of the side frames 11, a compression spring 17 disposed between the stationary seat 15 and the rotary seat 16 for biasing the rotary seat 16 and the stationary seat 16 away from each other, and an operable pin 18 extending through the rotary seat 16 and the compression spring 17 and engaging threadedly the stationary seat 15. The stationary seat 15 and the rotary seat 16 have confronting end faces, each of which is formed with a series of engagement teeth 151, 164 around an axis of the pin 18. The pin 18 is operable in one direction for fastening together the rotary seat 16 and the stationary seat 15 against biasing action of the spring 17 to ensure engagement between the engagement teeth 164, 151 on the rotary seat 16 and the stationary seat 15 so as to prevent rotation of the rotary seat 16 relative to the stationary seat 15 and so as to retain the canopy frame 3 at a desired inclination. The pin 18 is further operable in an opposite direction for loosening the rotary seat 16 from the stationary seat 15 so as to permit rotation of the rotary seat 16 relative to the stationary seat 15. When it is desired to adjust inclination of the canopy frame 3, the pins 18 are operated individually for loosening the rotary seats 16 from the stationary seats 15, respectively. The canopy frame 3 is then moved for rotating relative to the side frames 11 to a desired inclination. Finally, the pins 18 are operated individually to once again fasten together the rotary seats 16 and the stationary seats 15. However, since the pins 18 need to be operated individually before and after the canopy frame 3 is rotated to be disposed at the desired tilt, the adjustment operation is somewhat troublesome and is time-consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a chair assembly with a tilt-adjustable canopy which is convenient to adjust.

[0006] Accordingly, the chair assembly of the present invention includes a support unit, a seat member, a canopy frame, and a telescopic linking rod. The support unit includes a pair of upright side frames which are spaced-apart in a horizontal first direction. Each of the side frames has a lower end portion adapted to be supported on a ground surface, and an upper end portion. The seat member is disposed between and is mounted on the side frames. The canopy frame is disposed above the seat member. The canopy frame has front and rear end portions, and an intermediate portion extending between the front and rear end portions and mounted pivotally on the upper end portions of the side frames so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis parallel to the first direction. The telescopic linking rod has an upper end connected pivotally to one of the front and rear end portions of the canopy frame, and a lower end connected pivotally to one of the side frames of the support unit at a point below the upper end portion of said one of the side frames. The linking rod is operable for adjusting its length, and is operable for retention at an adjusted length so as to permit tilt-adjustment of the canopy frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional chair assembly with a tilt-adjustable canopy;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the conventional chair assembly, illustrating a canopy mounting unit thereof;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a chair assembly of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating tilt adjustment of a canopy frame;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary partly-sectioned view of the preferred embodiment;

[0013]FIG. 6 is another fragmentary partly-sectioned view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating a telescopic linking rod thereof;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the telescopic linking rod of the preferred embodiment;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary partly exploded perspective view of the telescopic linking rod, where a retaining ring is shown to be in an unlocking state; and

[0016]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the telescopic linking rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the preferred embodiment of the chair assembly of the present invention is shown to include a support unit 4, a seat member 5, a canopy frame 6, and a telescopic linking rod 7.

[0018] The support unit 4 includes a pair of upright side frames 41 which are spaced-apart in a horizontal first direction. Each of the side frames 41 has a lower frame portion 411 with a π-shaped structure and with a lower end portion adapted to be supported on a ground surface. Each of the side frames 41 further has a curved support rod 412 which extends upwardly from the lower frame portion 411 and which has an upper end portion formed with a horizontal tubular sleeve 413 that extends in the first direction and that has opposite open ends. The tubular sleeves 413 on the support rods 412 are aligned axially with each other. With further reference to FIG. 5, the support unit 4 additionally includes a horizontal bar 42 with two opposite end portions, each of which extends axially into the tubular sleeve 413 on the upper end portion of a respective one of the support rods 412, and each of which is formed with a threaded hole 421 along an axis of the horizontal bar 42.

[0019] The seat member 5 is disposed between and is mounted swingably on the lower frame portions 411 of the side frames 41. Alternatively, the seat member 5 may be mounted fixedly on the side frames 41. Since this invention is not characterized in the connection between the seat member 5 and the side frames 41, a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein for the sake of brevity.

[0020] The canopy frame 6 is formed as a looped rectangular frame member which includes front and rear rod sections 61 which extend parallel to the first direction, and a pair of lateral rod sections 62 interconnecting the front and rear rod sections 61. The tubular sleeves 413 and the horizontal bar 42 are disposed among the front and rear rod sections 61 and the lateral rod sections 62 of the rectangular frame member. Each of the lateral rod sections 62 has front and rear end portions connected respectively to the front and rear rod sections 61, and an intermediate portion between the front and rear end portions. The canopy frame 6 is mounted on the upper end portions of the support rods 412 by means of a pair of pivot axles 63, each of which extends transversely through the intermediate portion of a respective one of the lateral rod sections 62, and extends axially into the tubular sleeve 413 on the upper end portion of a respective one of the support rods 412. Each of the pivot axles 63 has a threaded end portion engaging the threaded hole 421 in a respective one of the opposite end portions of the horizontal bar 42 such that the canopy frame 6 is rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis of the pivot axles 63 relative to the tubular sleeves 413.

[0021] The telescopic linking rod 7 is operable for adjusting the length thereof, and is operable for retention at an adjusted length. The telescopic linking rod 7 has an upper end connected pivotally to the rear end portion of one of the lateral rod sections 62 of the canopy frame 6, and a lower end disposed at a lateral outer side of and connected pivotally to the support rod 412 of an adjacent one of the side frames 41 at a point below the upper end portion of the support rod 412. In other embodiments, the upper end of the telescopic linking rod 7 may be connected to the rear rod section 61, and the lower end of the linking rod 7 may be disposed at a lateral inner side of one of the support rods 412.

[0022] When the telescopic linking rod 7 is operated to adjust its length, the upper end of the linking rod 7 moves upwardly and downwardly. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, at this time, the canopy frame 6 is moved with the upper end of the linking rod 7 to permit tilt adjustment of the canopy frame 6.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the telescopic linking rod 7 includes an upper tube 71 with an upper end connected pivotally to the rear end portion of said one of the lateral rod sections 62 by means of a pivot unit 70, a lower tube 72 having an upper end extending into an open lower end of the upper tube 71 and a lower end pivoted to said one of the support rods 412 by means of a horizontal pivot shaft 721, and a locking unit 73 mounted on the upper end of the lower tube 72. Each of the upper and lower tubes 71, 72 has a circular cross-section. The upper tube 71 has a radius larger than that of the lower tube 72.

[0024] The pivot unit 70 includes a generally U-shaped pivot plate 711 with a parallel pair of upwardly extending wing portions 712 and a bottom portion 713 interconnecting the wing portions 712. A pivot shaft 710 extends through the wing portions 712 and the lateral rod section 62 of the canopy frame 6. The upper end of the upper tube 71 is formed with a rotary shaft 716 which extends rotatably through the bottom portion 713 of the pivot plate 711 such that the upper tube 71 is rotatable axially relative to the pivot plate 711. The rotary shaft 716 has an enlarged head 717 for retention at the bottom portion 713 of the pivot plate 711.

[0025] The locking unit 73 includes a circular base plate 731 fixed to the upper end of the lower tube 72, an eccentric shaft 732 projecting upwardly and eccentrically from the base plate 731, a stop member 733 formed on the base plate 731 and extending from the eccentric shaft 732 to a periphery of the base plate 731, and a circular head plate 734 formed on an upper end of the eccentric shaft 732 and registered with the lower tube 72. The locking unit 73 further includes a locking ring 735 formed from a resilient material, such as rubber or plastic. The locking ring 735 confines an eccentric hole 74 and is formed with a notch 741 communicated with the eccentric hole 74. The locking ring 735 has a lower edge formed with a circumferential slot 737. The locking ring 735 has a thickness which is measured between inner and outer peripheries thereof and which is reduced gradually in a direction toward the notch 741. The locking ring 735 is sleeved rotatably on the eccentric shaft 732 such that the stop member 733 is disposed within the circumferential slot 737 to limit rotation of the locking ring 735. The locking ring 735 is thus rotatable about the eccentric shaft 732 within an angular range defined by an arc length of the circumferential slot 737.

[0026] When the locking ring 735 is sleeved on the eccentric shaft 732, the outer periphery of the locking ring 735 contacts an inner surface of the upper tube 71. As such, when the upper tube 71 is rotated axially, the locking ring 735 is moved by the upper tube 71 and is rotated about the eccentric shaft 732 for moving between a locking position shown in FIG. 9, and an unlocking position shown in FIG. 8.

[0027] When it is desired to adjust inclination of the canopy frame 6, the upper tube 71 is rotated in a first direction for moving the locking ring 735 to the unlocking position. Referring to FIG. 8, in the unlocking position, the locking ring 735 is substantially registered with the lower tube 72 and the lower tube 72 is movable axially toward or away from the upper tube 71 to permit adjustment in the length of the telescopic linking rod 7. After adjustment of the canopy frame 6 to a desired tilt, the upper tube 71 is rotated in an opposite second direction for moving the locking ring 735 to the locking position. Referring to FIG. 9, in the locking position, the locking ring 735 is offset from the lower tube 72, and the locking ring 735, the locking seat 731 and the head plate 734 (see FIG. 8) are in frictional contact with the inner surface of the upper tube 71 for positioning the lower tube 72 relative to the upper tube 71 so as to retain the telescopic linking rod 7 at the adjusted length, thereby positioning the canopy frame 6 at the desired tilt.

[0028] It is noted that the telescopic linking rod used in the chair assembly of the present invention should not be limited to the preferred embodiment. A pneumatic cylinder or an oil cylinder that is operable for adjusting its length can be similarly applied to the present invention.

[0029] It has thus been shown that, by simply operating the telescopic linking rod 7 to alter its length, tilt of the canopy frame 6 can be adjusted in a relatively convenient and fast manner.

[0030] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

I claim:
 1. A chair assembly comprising: a support unit including a pair of upright side frames which are spaced-apart in a horizontal first direction, each of said side frames having a lower end portion adapted to be supported on a ground surface, and an upper end portion; a seat member disposed between and mounted on said side frames; a canopy frame disposed above said seat member, said canopy frame having front and rear end portions, and an intermediate portion extending between said front and rear end portions and mounted pivotally on said upper end portions of said side frames so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis parallel to the first direction; and a telescopic linking rod having an upper end connected pivotally to one of said front and rear end portions of said canopy frame, and a lower end connected pivotally to one of said side frames of said support unit at a point below said upper end portion of said one of said side frames, said linking rod being operable for adjusting length thereof and being operable for retention at an adjusted length so as to permit tilt-adjustment of said canopy frame.
 2. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper end portion of each of said side frames is formed with a tubular sleeve which extends in said first direction and which has opposite open ends, said support unit further including a horizontal bar having opposite end portions extending axially and respectively into said tubular sleeves, said canopy frame having a looped rectangular frame member which includes front and rear rod sections parallel to said horizontal bar, and a pair of lateral rod sections transverse to said horizontal bar and interconnecting said front and rear rod sections, said horizontal bar and said tubular sleeves being disposed within said looped rectangular frame member, each of said lateral rods sections having a front end portion connected to said front rod section, a rear end portion connected to said rear rod section, and an intermediate portion mounted pivotally on a respective said opposite end portions of said horizontal bar so as to be pivotable about an axis of said horizontal bar.
 3. The chair assembly as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a pair of pivot axles, each of which extends transversely through said intermediate portion of a respective one of said lateral rod sections and extends axially into a respective one of said tubular sleeves, each of said pivot axles having a threaded end portion which engages threadedly a respective one of said opposite end portions of said horizontal bar. 